I have been tied up in the land of sick...but today, I must write

I have been sick since last Wednesday. It has been a rough time filled with lots of phlem, coughing, cold, fever and more phlem. Sleepless nights and MS symptoms through the roof. I am doing somewhat better. But, all of that aside, today is the two year anniversary of my dear first husband's passing. October has become a rough month for me because October was always Linn's favorite month. He would start decorating for Halloween as of October 1st every year. I remember one year that our neighbors actually thought that our house was condemned or that something was wrong. It was too funny! Linn loved Halloween and was like a kid in a candy store when it came to purchasing new things for his Halloween displays. He loved creating new things for the displays he would put up in our yard and, thanks to him, we attracted sometimes over 300 people on Halloween night. I am hoping that maybe next year, October will be my favorite month again. Ever since Linn's passing, I haven't been able to enjoy October like I use to. Each year, I relive every single day leading up to Linn's death. It is hard and amazing at how much I can recall as if it were yesterday. I loved and still do love my first husband. Thanks to him, I have a beautiful daughter. I know that Linn would be happy with how I am raising her without him and know that he left because he knew that I could and would live on without him. There isn't a day that goes by where I don't think of him, but it is a good thought and a happy memory, not a dwelling on loosing him. I am happy and proud to say that promised Linn sometime before he died that I would live on if he ever passed away. I promised him that I would be of the living and enjoy my life and be a good mother. I smile, knowing that I am okay and I will continue to be just fine.

Chewed up and spit out...come on three day weekend!

Okay, I haven't written lately because I have been busy and overwhelmed. That and I have a cough and a scratchy throat along with my world of children is filled with sick kids. The land of the H1N1 or regular flu is circling our world like a hawk ready to strike. I just hope that it skips me along with my family, is that so much to ask? We got our flu shots...we, we are good people and we know how to take care of ourselves, (cough, cough...). Awww! Who am I kidding? I will be knocked off me "I'm okay, your okay" pedestal and topple to the clay floor with bucket in hand..."pass the pretzels and saltines and hello bed!" But, for now, I fight off even the IDEA of sickness as best I can. What to do when you teach a bazillion kids everyday and your are surrounded by sick kids? I will live to play another day.
Life has been crazy and it always amazes me how the life of a teacher is always so busy. There seems to be no end to my grading and there are always more demands on us, never less, always more. I do my best everyday, but even I am overwhelmed. And, it's not just me. This is my ninth year of teaching and I have heard from many teacher's my senior that they are overwhelmed too. All I can do is "just keep swimming" in this eternal quagmire I call---life of teacher lady...a.k.a.---me. No matter what, what truly is evident is, I love teaching OR, I wouldn't be putting myself through this day in and day out. I am not there to fill out the abundance of paperwork or do various things online, I am there for the children who depend on me to teach them how to be avid learners. I teach the ones that usually fall through the cracks and without teachers like me, they would merely be wallpaper adorning the wall, blending in, neither seen or heard. I will continue on, but BOY! Friday is looking reallllly good. Come on Friday, come on Friday....time for rest.

Another day, what can I say

Life is getting back to normal. I am back at school and the kids and fellow teachers have been great. I am tired, but happy and had a great two days back, so far.
Heather and I have missed Kevin terribly as he has been at the quarter horse congress since Friday. Well, he called me this afternoon and sounded suspicious. I had a feeling that I soon confirmed---he had come home to spend the night with us. Heather fell asleep in the car and then Kevin ran on out to carry her in. It was wonderful for Heather to wake up and have her Kevin Daddy there! We then went out for Mexican food and had fun just being together and thinking of when this would all be done. I love that Kevin has time for us in the fall, but the quarter horse congress is my least favorite event due to the amount of time it takes away from us as a family. I will survive and we are use to it by now, but that doesn't mean we have to like it. So, all is well and I am tired. I will write more another day and Kevin will be on his way back to Columbus. Woe is us, but at least we got to see him for awhile. Happy, happy day!